//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - A Quick Visit // Story: A Competition With Two Winners // by 1Bit //------------------------------// Twilight was just waking up when an impatient knock on her door startled her, her heart skipping a beat. She clumsily fumbled around with the bed quilt, falling onto the floor as she tried to scramble for the door. The consistent sound of a hoof on her door driving her forwards. "Okay! I'm coming, just calm down!" Twilight grumbled, groaning frustratedly. She opened the door, to see Applejack standing in front of her, a worried frown on her face. "Applejack?" She attempted to stifle a yawn, gently rubbing her eyes. "What are you doing here so early?" "It's Rainbow." Applejack bit her lip, stepping into the spacious room. "I'm mighty concerned for her, Twi. We've barely seen her all week, 'cept fer when she flies over Ponyville occasionally but even then, she's only there for a few seconds." She sighed, her eyes looking down at the floor. Twilight merely stood there, contemplating. "I wouldn't worry Applejack." Twilight offered. "Rainbow may just have been a bit busier than usual. If she had any concerns or problems, I'm sure she'd have come to us by now." Applejack smiled warmly, appreciating how level-headed Twilight could be. "I know, I know. It's just that for a while now, Rainbow and I have always met up in the mornin' and raced around Sweet Apple Acres. We both enjoy the competition after all." She turned, taking a step closer to the unicorn. "But today, she was nowhere to be found. It's only once a week we get together and she's never missed it." Twilight's expression softened and she put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Look, next time we see Rainbow, you can get any answers out of her then." Twilight re-assured her. "Until then, there's no point in worrying over nothing. And anyway..." She added with a smirk. "Don't you have a certain coltfriend to get back to?" She playfully nudged Applejack, winking at her. Applejack's cheeks reddened, a small smile on her face. "Yeah, I suppose I do." She chuckled to herself. "Don't think I'll ever get used to that fact." The subject clearly peaked Twilight's interest, so she decided to continue on. "How is that all going anyway?" "Oh, Twilight, I can't even begin to tell ya how amazin' he is!" Applejack was instantly smiling. "He's happy to spend any time he can down on the farm and helps me with a bunch of the chores. Everything just feels so...right around Cloudjumper, y'know?" Twilight nodded, understanding. "Why, I can't thank Rainbow enough. If she hadn't taken me to Cloudsdale that day, I may have never found somepony as special as him." Mentioning Rainbow's name shook Applejack out of her blissful trance. "Which is why I want to speak with her, I just want her to know how grateful I am. She's really the best friend I could ask for." She turned back to Twilight expecting some sort of response but Twilight was now sitting on the floor, tapping her chin with a hoof in thought. Her eyes burst open suddenly, jumping back onto her four legs. "That may be why Rainbow hasn't been around lately! It makes so much more sense!" Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Come again, sugarcube?" "I may know what's happened to Rainbow..." As Twilight began to explain in a quieter voice, Applejack listened intently, leaning in closer. Somewhere above the puffy, white clouds that stretched beyond the horizon, a mare with a rainbow-coloured mane was lying down, alone. As usual, Rainbow had quickly grabbed a small cloud and sat there, thinking. She found that she did most of her more rational thinking like that. She peeked her head over the cloud, gazing at the endless fields below her, as they whisked past. She nestled her head down into the cloud, trying to relax her mind. Anything to take her mind off of Applejack. She'd thought she could handle it. She wanted to support Applejack's relationship. But she couldn't. She'd barely talked to anypony that week unless she needed to, instead choosing to be left alone with only her depressing thoughts to keep her company. She sat there sulking as she had for so long beforehand, allowing the cloud to take her wherever it wanted. Her ears perked up at the sound of distant yelling. While it didn't seemed to be directed at her, it was still a voice she recognised. She drearily opened her eyes, looking down from her perch to get a better look at what was going on. She instantly recognised where she was, rows and rows of apple trees beneath her. She turned her gaze towards the farmhouse where two figures were hauling barrels into the building. She squinted trying to get a better look. She could easily distinguish Big Macintosh; his powerful build and red coat were easy to pick out in a crowd. The other was a bit of a mystery but then, grinding her teeth together, she remembered where she'd heard the voice before. Cloudjumper She thought angrily, staring at his distant form sourly before turning her head the other way. "I think that's the last one, Big Mac!" Cloudjumper shouted, a broad grin on his face. The older stallion turned to him, giving a hearty "Eeyup!" before he walked into the farmhouse. Cloudjumper gave a few grunts as he pushed the last barrel into the barn, wiping the sweat away from his brow. He stood there for a while, laughing softly. Before meeting Applejack, he would never have imagined himself in a situation like this. About to leave, he heard faint hoofsteps in the distance and quickly ran out into the yard to see his marefriend return up the pathway. He rushed over to her, bringing her into a passionate embrace. "I guess you're happy to see me then?" Applejack giggled, blushing slightly. "Oh please Applejack." He rolled his eyes at her. "You know I'm lost without you!" They finally moved apart, sharing a short, sweet kiss before walking through the yard. "By the way," He added, smugly. "Your big brother and I happened to get all the cider barrels into the barn while you were gone." "Really? I've only been gone less than an hour!" She nodded approvingly. "That's a darn good job you done there, sweetie. But in future, you needn't worry. It was my job as it is." "Aha, that's where you're wrong. I will worry. I love you AJ. I love the farm. You already do so much work as it is, I'm more than happy to lighten the workload." He brought Applejack in for another kiss, this time lingering for longer. The mare seemed to protest as he pulled away, disappointed it hadn't lasted even longer. "Sugarcube, you already do so much work trainin' with the Wonderbolts and such, I'm surprised you even have the strength to do it all!" She looked over the stallion, eyeing his strong legs and toned back, biting her lip. Seeing this, Cloudjumper smiled slyly and waltzed on over to Applejack. "I still have plenty of strength to give. But I prefer to leave that for...other activities." He whispered in her ear, making the mare's cheeks turn even redder. She removed her Stetson, shyly covering her face trying to hide her blushing. "But as much grief as it gives me, I'm expected back in Cloudsdale so I'll see you later?" He asked hopefully. "Absolutely" Applejack waved as he began to set off towards the clouds, with a big smile from ear to ear.